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How much does it cost to install a bathroom mirror?

You more than likely have at least one mirror installed somewhere in your home, with many spaces boasting them in the entryway, living room, dining room, and bedrooms. The most common, and most helpful, place to have installed, however, is in the bathroom. A bathroom mirror lets you take advantage of the space to help you get ready for your day, whether with a standard mirror, a magnifying shaving mirror, or one with lights installed. Paired with a medicine cabinet, a mirror can also help you store important toiletries, while any mirror can visually enhance the room, making it seem larger than it is.

On average, installing a tiltilg or pivoting mirror in your bathroom costs $120-$150, whereas installing a medicine cabinet recessed into the wall with light fixtures and magnifying mirror costs $500-$700.

Types

There are nearly as many types of bathroom mirrors as there are types of bathrooms in the world. The type you choose will likely be based on the style of your bathroom, the amount of space you have to install it in, any special needs you may have for the space, and your personal taste. Costs of the mirror, as well as any installation costs, will vary depending upon the type of mirror you choose:

Medicine cabinets: medicine cabinets are one of the most common types of mirror used in bathrooms. A medicine cabinet opens to hold small items, and may include additional attributes such as plugs, medicine lock boxes, magnifying interior mirrors, and even refrigerated sections. A medicine cabinet may be mounted on the wall or recessed into it to give it the appearance of a flat mirror. Prices range from $40 to $400.

Framed Mirrors: framed mirrors are among the easiest to install and change out. The mirror itself is framed in wood, metal, plastic, tile, or stone and is usually hung like a picture from a hook on the wall. Prices range from $50 to $200 on average.

Frameless mirrors: for a sleeker, more contemporary look you may want a frameless mirror, which has a beveled edge to the glass rather than a frame. Frameless mirrors come in all shapes and sizes; some mount straight to the wall, while others require special mounting hardware. Prices range from $20 to $100 for a plain mirror.

Pivot or Tilt Mirrors: both framed and frameless mirrors may come with a tilt option. This holds the mirror out from the wall slightly on either side, and allows the mirror to pivot or tilt up and down. This can enable a greater range of people to use the mirror, as shorter users can tilt the mirror toward themselves for a better view. Prices range from $50 to $150 on average.

Ledge Mirrors: some mirrors may come with a built in ledge or shelf in the frame. This both gives the mirror a more substantial look and provides a place to hold small items like makeup or toothpaste. Prices start around $120 for this style of mirror.

Venetian Framed: venetian framed mirrors are a specific style that fits in well in powder rooms and formal bathrooms. They have a delicate, decorative frame that may also be mirrored to extend the look of the mirror. Prices for Venetian framed mirrors range from $150 to $250 on average.

Extending Mirrors: if you need additional access in the bathroom, you may want to look into an extending mirror. This mirror mounts securely to the wall, but pulls out on an extending arm to reach a user who may not be able to lean in close. They come in many sizes, and some may be mounted inside a medicine cabinet until needed. Prices range from $40 to $200.

Magnifying Mirrors: if you need a better view, you may want to invest in a magnifying mirror. Some mirrors may have a magnifying section, extending mirrors may have a double side with a magnifying option, and many medicine cabinets have a magnifying mirror inside. Expect to pay around $30 to $50 on average.

Makeup/Shaving Mirror: if you need close up views for makeup or shaving, you may want to invest in a dedicated makeup or shaving mirror. These may double as extending or magnifying mirrors, and cost between $30 to $200.

Lighted Vanity Mirror: meant to be mounted directly above a vanity or sink, some mirrors come with a built-in light bar across the top. Styles and sizes may be more constrained when adding this feature, and installation will be more time consuming as well. Expect to pay $60 to $300 on average.

Labor

The type of mirror you are having installed will likely drive the ultimate cost of installation. Many simple framed and frameless mirrors can be installed DIY for the cost of picture hook, $2-$9 on average. If you are having an extension mirror or pivoting mirror installed, you may also want to tackle this job yourself with a drill, screwdriver, and the hardware kit that comes with the mirror. If you don’t feel comfortable tackling this job yourself, a handyman can do it for you at a cost of $60 to $90 an hour, with one hour typically being all that’s necessary to do the job. If the mirror needs to be leveled in any way, a professional installation will also give you better results than a DIY job.

If you are having a medicine cabinet installed, you will need the services of a carpenter at around $70 an hour for one to two hours. This is because the medicine cabinet will need to be mounted between the studs in the wall, and will likely need framing out. If your medicine cabinet or mirror has features such as lights, anti-fog, or a refrigerated box you will also need the services of an electrician at around $65 to $85/hour for one to two hours.

Replacement vs. new installation

If you are replacing an existing mirror with a new one of the same size, this is a simple job that will require a lot less time than new installation. Keep in mind that you will need to dispose of the old mirror; some installers will handle this for you at a fee of around $50. You can also dispose of it yourself by calling your local dump or transfer station; most municipalities will charge at least a small fee for disposal.

If you are having a mirror or medicine cabinet installed for the first time, or you are completely changing the shape, size, and type of mirror this will take longer. Old holes may require patching at a rate of $60 to $90 an hour for a handyman. New holes may need to be drilled or cut, and wiring done. Expect new installation to take at least twice as long as a replacement.

Enhancement and improvement costs

If you have an old or antique mirror in your bathroom, you may want to invest in mirror resilvering services to restore its finish. Mirror resilvering costs around $15 per sq.ft. to be restored, plus any handling or delivery fees involved in getting the mirror to the restorer.

Additional considerations and costs

Size

To get the best look, many designers recommend that the mirror be 2- to 4-inches smaller than the width of the sink or vanity it is being installed above.

Medicine cabinet recessing

If you plan on recessing a medicine cabinet, you may want a plumber to take a look first and let you know if there are pipes in the wall behind the sink. If so, you may want to move the medicine cabinet to an adjacent wall and install a flat mirror above the sink.

FAQ

How do you hang a mirror on the wall?

Most mirrors come with some type of hardware for hanging, either a “teeth” clip or a piece of piano wire. Nail a picture hanger sized to hold the weight of the mirror to the wall, and use the hardware to attach.

How do you hang a mirror on a tile wall?

Tile walls need to be drilled using a diamond bit dipped in cooling oil. Once the hole is drilled, a plastic wall anchor is inserted, and a screw put in to hold the mirror’s hardware.

How do you hang a framed bathroom mirror?

Framed mirrors usually come with hardware for hanging. Nail a picture hanger to the wall, attach the hardware to the back of the mirror, and hang.

How do you hang a mirror?

Most mirrors have hardware on the back to allow them to hang on the wall. Use a picture hanger large enough to hold the mirror’s weight on the wall, then attach the mirror to the hardware.

How much does it cost to install a large bathroom mirror?

The cost of installing a bathroom mirror is around $120 to $150. Larger mirrors may increase the costs to as high as $500 if more than one person is required for the job.

How much does mirror cost per square foot?

Plain mirror glass costs about $5-$6 per square foot. Most bathroom mirrors cost between $20 and $100 for a plain mirror.

How much does it cost to fix a mirror?

Replacing mirror glass in an existing mirror costs between $10 and $20 per square foot.

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Change history

Aug 31, 2017

A new “FAQ” section can be found at the end of the cost guide, where you can find information that may not be in other sections.

Jun 16, 2017

To help the user understand the project of the cost guide we have added an image, in this case, a bathroom mirror and a summary at the beginning of the cost guide with the cost of getting one installed.